Generating production server load activity for a test server

ABSTRACT

A method of replicating on a test server a production load of a production server. The method can include creating the production load on the production server by processing client requests received from clients. The method further can include, while the client requests are processed, via a processor, in real time, replicating the production load to generate a replicated production load that represents the client requests and defines state information representing unique states formed between the production server and the respective clients. The method also can include, in real time, communicating the replicated production load in order to replicate the production load on the test server.

BACKGROUND

One or more embodiments disclosed within this specification relate totesting of production servers.

A production server is a server that hosts one or more live applicationsaccessible to clients via a communication network, such as an intranetor the Internet. A production server typically hosts the most recentversion of its respective application(s). Prior to moving anapplication, or an updated version of the application, to a productionserver to go live, the application may be hosted on a staging serverduring development. While executing on the staging server, theapplication typically is only available to developers of the applicationor users who are tasked with testing the application's functionality.Accordingly, the staging server provides a platform on which theapplication can be tested before going live.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One or more embodiments disclosed within this specification relate to amethod of replicating on a test server a production load of a productionserver. The method can include creating the production load on theproduction server by processing client requests received from clients.The method further can include, while the client requests are processed,via a processor, in real time, replicating the production load togenerate a replicated production load that represents the clientrequests and defines state information representing unique states formedbetween the production server and the respective clients. The methodalso can include, in real time, communicating the replicated productionload in order to replicate the production load on the test server.

Another embodiment includes a method of replicating on a test server aproduction load of a production server. The method can include receivinga replicated production load corresponding to a production load on theproduction server created by processing client requests. The replicatedproduction load can be generated in real time while the client requestsare processed by the production server. The replication production loadalso can define state information representing unique states formedbetween the production server and the clients from which the clientrequests are received. Responsive to receiving the replicated productionload, in real time, via a processor, the replicated production load canbe processed to generate a plurality of replicated client requests. Eachof the replicated client requests can replicate a respective clientrequest received by the production server and at least a portion of thereplicated client requests can define the state information associatedwith the respective client from which the client request is received.The method further can include, in real time, communicating thereplicated client requests to the test server.

Another embodiment can include computer program product for replicatingon a test server a production load of a production server. The computerprogram product can include computer-readable program code embodiedtherewith, the computer-readable program code configured to perform thevarious operations and/or functions disclosed within this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for replicating on atest server a production load of a production server in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a processing system in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of replicating on a testserver a production load of a production server in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of generating a message ofa replicated production load in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another method of replicating on atest server a production load of a production server in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of processing a replicatedclient request on a test server in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer-readablemedium(s) having computer-readable program code embodied, e.g., stored,thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer-readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signalmedium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard diskdrive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium thatis not a computer-readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber, cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations foraspects of the present invention may be written in any combination ofone or more programming languages, including an object orientedprogramming language such as Java™, Smalltalk, C++ or the like andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The program codemay execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus,or other devices create means for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmabledata processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

Several definitions that apply throughout this document will now bepresented. As used herein, the term “real time” means a level ofprocessing responsiveness that a user or system senses as sufficientlyimmediate for a particular process or determination to be made, or thatenables the processor to keep up with some external process.

As used herein, the term “production server” means a processing systemcomprising at least one processor and hosts one or more liveapplications accessible via a communication network. As used herein, anapplication that remains live means an application that is operationalto serve clients via a communication network, such as an intranet or theInternet, in its intended manner. As used herein, the term “test server”means a processing system comprising at least one processor and hostsone or more applications for the purpose of testing such application(s).As used herein, the term “intermediary server” means a processing systemcomprising at least one processor that receives data from a productionserver, and communicates corresponding data to a test server.

As used herein, the term “client” means a processing system comprisingat least one processor and which generates client requests that arecommunicated to a production server. As used herein, the term “clientrequest” means a message requesting some action to be performed by aproduction server. For example, a client request can request informationto be retrieved or processed. As used herein, the term “production load”refers to discrete independently meaningful units called “productionload units.” In one embodiment, each production load unit can correspondto a separate client request.

Embodiments described herein relate to replicating on a test server aproduction load of a production server. While the production serverhosts one or more live applications, the production server can receiveclient requests from one or more clients to access the liveapplication(s). The production server can process such client requests,and generate responses to the client requests, thus creating aproduction load on the production server. When the client requests areprocessed by the production server, the production load represented bythe client requests can be replicated to generate a replicatedproduction load. The replicated production load represent the clientrequests. Further, the replicated production load can define stateinformation representing unique states formed between the productionserver and the clients from which the identified client requests arereceived.

The replicated production load can be communicated to a manifold proxy,which can process the replicated production load to generate replicatedclient requests. Each replicated client request can replicate arespective client request received by the production server, as well asthe state information associated with the respective client request. Themanifold proxy can send the replicated client requests to the testserver.

The test server can host one or more copies of applications hosted bythe production server, which can process the replicated client requests.Such processing can be monitored by an analysis application to identifydefects, oftentimes referred to as “bugs,” in the application(s), or tocompare performance of a test version of an application to a productionversion of the application. In this regard, the copies of theapplications hosted on the test server can be instrumented with code tofacilitate such analysis. Notably, the fore mentioned processes can beperformed in real time, and can continue as long as desired.Accordingly, the applications hosted by the production server can beanalyzed while the production applications remain live. Thus, theproduction server need not be taken off-line to perform the analysis,and can continue to serve clients. Moreover, the analysis can beperformed using the same live conditions experienced by the productionserver. These conditions may change over time, and such changes can bereplicated in the test server.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for replicating on atest server a production load of a production server in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In this regard, the system caninclude one or more clients 110, a production server 120, a test server140 and, optionally, an intermediary server 140.

The production server 120 can host (e.g., execute) one or moreapplications 122. Examples of an application 122 include, but are notlimited to, a website, a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)server, a database, a web-based application, a network basedapplication, and the like. The production server 120 also can host anaudit facility 124, which will be described herein in greater detail. Inone embodiment, the intermediary server 130 can host a manifold proxy132, which also will be described herein in greater detail. In anotherembodiment, the manifold proxy 132 can be hosted on the test server 140.

The test server 140 can one or more host applications 142 and ananalysis application 144. The application(s) 142 can be a copy (orcopies) of application(s) 122 hosted on the production server 120 thatare to be analyzed by the analysis application 144. An application 142can be the same version as a corresponding application 122, for examplewhen the application is being analyzed for potential defects, or theapplication 142 can be a different version than the application 122, forexample when performance enhancements to the application are beingtested. In this regard, the application(s) 142 can be considered to becomputer program(s) under test. Hereinafter, reference may be made to anapplication 122 and/or an application 142, but it will be understoodthat each such reference may refer to a plurality of the respectiveapplications 122 and/or applications 142.

The clients 110 can be communicatively linked to the production server120, the production server can be communicatively linked to theintermediary server 130, and the intermediary server 130 can becommunicatively linked to the test server 140. In an arrangement inwhich the manifold proxy 132 is hosted on the test server 140, theproduction server 120 can be communicatively linked to the test server140 in lieu of the intermediary server 130. One or more networks can beutilized to provide such communication links. The networks can includepublic networks, for example the Internet, and/or private networks, suchas LANs, WANs, or the like.

In operation, the production server 120 can be operational and executingthe application 122 to serve the clients 110. The production server 120can receive and identify a plurality of client requests 112 from theclients 110 directed to the application 122. The application 122 canprocess the client requests 112 and return responses 114 to the clients110 in a manner conventional for the application 122. When the clientrequests 112 are received by the production server 120, in real time,the audit facility 124 can generate audit records corresponding toclient requests 112, and store the audit records to an audit log 126.Further, the audit facility 124 can generate a message related to aparticular client request 112.

The audit facility 124 can communicate the message to the manifold proxy132. If the manifold proxy 132 is hosted on the intermediary server 130,the message can be sent to the intermediary server 130. If the manifoldproxy 132 is hosted on the test server 140, the message can be sent tothe test server 140. During normal operation, the production server 120can receive a plurality of client requests 112, and the audit facilitycan generate and communicate a plurality of corresponding messages, eachrepresenting a production load unit. Collectively, the plurality of suchmessages can replicate the production load of the production server 120,and thus collectively are referred to herein as a replicated productionload 128.

Each message can include specific information related to a particularclient request 112, for example, an action or actions requested of theapplication 122 or other processes on the production server 120.Further, each message can include state information representing aunique state formed between production the server 120 and the client 110from which the client request 112 is received. Such state informationcan include, for example, a connection identifier for the socketconnection via which the client request 112 was received, one or morecookies associated with the client request 112 based on prior usage ofthe production server 120 by the client 110, page services provided tothe client 110, connection handles allocated to the client 110, bindinformation corresponding to the client 110 (e.g., user name and/orpassword), and/or any other information representing a unique stateformed between the production server 120 and the client 110.

As the manifold proxy 132 receives the messages, in real time, themanifold proxy 132 can parse data from each message and generate areplicated client request 134 that corresponds to the client request 112upon which the message is based. Each replicated client request 134 caninclude the specific information related to its corresponding clientrequest 112, as well as the state information that represents the uniquestate formed between the production server 120 and the client 110 fromwhich the client request 112 was received.

In one embodiment, the manifold proxy 112 can filter the messages of thereplicated production load 128 in order to filter client requests 112that are replicated to the test server 140 using the replicated clientrequests 134. In another embodiment, the audit records, and thus theclient requests 112, can be selectively filtered to identify a portionof the client requests 112 for which corresponding messages aregenerated. For example, messages corresponding to client requests 112associated with certain users or passwords can be ignored, or messagescorresponding to certain types of client requests 112 can be ignored,and corresponding replicated client requests 134 need not be generated.For example, password checks or write requests can be ignored and notreplicated. Further, the selective filtering can identify messagescorresponding to certain types of client requests 112 that are to beprocessed to generate the replicated client requests 134. For example,only client requests 112 related to LDAP directory or database searchescan be replicated.

When a particular message corresponds to a client request 112 requestinga socket connection (production socket connection) be established for arespective client 110 by the production server 120, the correspondingreplicated client request 134 can request a socket connection (testsocket connection) be established by the test server 140. The testsocket connection identifier that is generated may not be the sameidentifier generated for the production socket connection. Nonetheless,the manifold proxy 132 can create an association between the respectiveidentifiers, and store this association in a mapping table. Based on theassociation, the manifold proxy 132 can map the production socketconnection to the test socket connection. Accordingly, when a pluralityof client requests 112 are provided to the production server 120 via aparticular production socket connection, the manifold proxy 132 canensure that their corresponding replicated client requests 134 will besent over the same test socket connection.

As each replicated client request 134 is generated, the manifold proxycan, in real time, communicate the replicated client request 134 to thetest server 140, which can pass the replicated client request to theapplication 142. The replicated client requests 134 can be formatted inaccordance with a protocol understood by the application 142. Forexample, if a particular client request 112 is formatted in accordancewith LDAP, the corresponding replicated client request 134 can beformatted in accordance with LDAP. This is but one example of a clientrequest format, and the invention is not limited in this regard. Theapplication 142 can process the replicated client requests 134 andreturn replicated responses 136 to the manifold proxy 132 in a mannerconventional for the application 142.

As the application 142 processes the replicated client requests 134, theanalysis application can analyze execution of the application 142 toidentify any defects that may be present in the code of the application142, or to analyze performance of the application 142. For example, theapplication 142 can be instrumented with program code to generate eventsas the application 142 executes, and such events can be detected by theanalysis application 144. Application instrumentation and analysisapplications are known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a processing system200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Theprocessing system 200 can be a client, a production server, anintermediary server or a test server. The processing system 200 caninclude at least one processor 205 coupled to memory elements 210through a system bus 215. As such, the processing system 200 can storeprogram code within the memory elements 210. The processor 205 canexecute the program code accessed from the memory elements 210 via thesystem bus 215. In one aspect, for example, the processing system 200can be implemented as a computer that is suitable for storing and/orexecuting program code. It should be appreciated, however, that theprocessing system 200 can be implemented in the form of any systemcomprising a processor and memory that is capable of performing thefunctions described within this specification.

The memory elements 210 can include one or more physical memory devicessuch as, for example, local memory 220 and one or more bulk storagedevices 225. Local memory 220 refers to random access memory or othernon-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual executionof the program code. The bulk storage device(s) 225 can be implementedas a HDD, SDD, or other persistent data storage device. The processingsystem 200 also can include one or more cache memories (not shown) thatprovide temporary storage of at least some program code in order toreduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from bulkstorage device 225 during execution.

One or more network adapters 230 can be coupled to the processing system200, either directly to the system bus 215 or through intervening I/Ocontrollers, to enable the processing system 200 to become coupled toother systems, computer systems, remote printers, and/or remote storagedevices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cablemodems, Ethernet cards wireless network adapters are examples ofdifferent types of network adapters that can be used with the processingsystem 200, but the invention is not limited in this regard. Other I/Odevices (not shown) also can be coupled to the processing system 200.

By way of example, and not limitation, one or more programs/utilities240, each having a set (at least one) of program modules 242, may bestored in the memory elements 210, as well as an operating system, oneor more application programs, other program modules, and program data.Program modules 142 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

In illustration, in the case that the processing system 200 is theproduction server 120 of FIG. 1, the programs/utilities 240 can includethe application(s) 122 and audit facility 124. The Audit log 126 alsocan be stored in the memory elements 210. In the case that theprocessing system 200 is the intermediary server 130 of FIG. 1, theprograms/utilities 240 can include the manifold proxy 132. In the casethat the processing system 200 is the test server 140 of FIG. 1, theprograms/utilities 240 can include the application(s) 142, analysisapplication 144 and, optionally, the manifold proxy 132 (if theintermediary server 130 is not used).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method 300 of replicating on atest server a production load of a production server in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. The method 300 can beimplemented by the audit facility 124 of FIG. 1. At step 302, aproduction load on a production server can be created by processingclient requests received form clients. At step 304, while the clientrequests are processed, in real time, the production load can bereplicated to generate a replicated production load that represents theidentified client requests and defines state information representingunique states formed between the production server and the respectiveclients. At step 306, respective production socket connections via whicha plurality of the client requests are communicated from the respectiveclients to the production server can be identified. At step 308, theproduction socket connections can be associated with the replicatedproduction load. At step 310, in real time, the replicated productionload can be communicated in order to replicate the production load onthe test server. For example, the replicated production load can becommunicated to the manifold proxy 132 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method 400 of generating a messageof a replicated production load in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention. Again, the method 400 can be implemented by theaudit facility 124 of FIG. 1.

At step 402, memory can be allocated for first data structures forclient request data. At step 404, memory can be allocated for seconddata structures for a manifold proxy data record. At step 406, a clientrequest can be received by the production server and the audit facilitycan enter the client request data into a first audit log record. At step408, the audit facility can retrieve state information associated withthe client request and enter the state information, as well as and theclient request data, into a second audit log record. At step 410, theaudit facility can write the second audit log record to a socketassociated with the manifold proxy, thereby generating a messagerepresenting a production load unit and communicating the message to themanifold proxy. At step 414, the audit facility can write the firstaudit log record to an audit log file on the production server.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another method 500 of replicating ona test server a production load of a production server in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. The method 500 can beimplemented by the manifold proxy 132 of FIG. 1.

At step 502, a replicated production load can be received. Thereplicated production load can correspond to a production load on theproduction server created by processing client requests. The replicatedproduction load can generated in real time while the client requests areprocessed by the production server and can define state informationrepresenting unique states formed between the production server and theclients from which the client requests are received.

At step 504, responsive to receiving the replicated production load, inreal time, the replicated production load can be processed via aprocessor to generate a plurality of replicated client requests. Each ofthe replicated client requests can replicate a respective client requestreceived by the production server. At least a portion of the replicatedclient requests further can replicate the state information associatedwith the respective client from which the client request is received. Inother words, some of the replicated client requests can replicaterespective state information, or all of the replicated client requestscan replicate respective the state information.

At step 506, for a plurality of client requests, correspondingproduction socket connections can be mapped to respective test socketconnections associated with the corresponding replicated clientrequests. At step 508, the replicated client requests can becommunicated to the test server in real time.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of processing a replicatedclient request on a test server in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention. Again, the method 600 can be implemented by themanifold proxy 132 of FIG. 1.

At step 602, the manifold proxy can open a socket to received from aproduction server messages that are components of a replicatedproduction load. For example, the messages can be received from anauditing facility or another suitable program/utility suitablyconfigured to generate such messages. At step 604, a message can be readfrom the socket (i.e., received). At step 606, the message can beprocessed to parse client request data and state information.

At decision box 608, if the client request data requests a bind, at step610 a bind of a test socket connection to the test server can be createdand the production socket connection can be mapped to the test socketconnection. If the client request data does not request a bind theprocess can proceed to decision box 612. At decision box 612, if theclient request data requests and unbind, at 614 an unbind of the testsocket connection to the test server can be implemented, and the mappingof the production socket connection to the test socket connection can beremoved. If at decision box 612 the client request data does not requestan unbind, at decision box 616 a determination can be made whether themessage is filtered out. If not, the connection mapping can be used tosend the replicated client request to the test server, and a responsecan be read. If the message is filtered, at step 620 the message can beidentified as unsupported, and thus the replicated client request neednot be sent to the test server.

From steps 610, 614, 618 and 620, the process can return to step 604,and another message can be read from the socket. The process cancontinue to repeat until a decision is made to stop the process.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowcharts illustration,and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartsillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A method of replicating on a test server a production load of aproduction server, the method comprising: receiving from the productionserver a plurality of messages representing the production load on theproduction server, each message corresponding to a respective clientrequest received from a respective client; and responsive to receivingeach message, in real time, parsing data from the message and, from theparsed data, generating a replicated client request corresponding to theclient request, wherein the replicated client request comprises stateinformation representing a unique state formed between the productionserver and the respective client, and, in real time, communicating thereplicated client request to a test server in order to replicate theproduction load on the test server.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: configuring an audit facility to automatically generate, bythe production server, the message corresponding to the respectiveclient request in real time responsive to the client request beingprocessed by the production server.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: identifying a respective production socket connection viawhich the client request is communicated from the respective client tothe production server; wherein communicating the replicated clientrequest to the test server in order to replicate the production load onthe test server comprises communicating the replicated client requestvia a test socket connection correlating to the production socketconnection.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the state informationindicates at least one cookie associated with the client request basedon prior usage of the production server.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the state information indicates at least one page serviceprovided to the respective client.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thestate information indicates a connection handle allocated for therespective client.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the stateinformation indicates bind information associated with the respectiveclient request.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating thereplicated client request to the test server in order to replicate theproduction load on the test server comprises: communicating thereplicated client request to the test server without altering a behaviorof the production server with respect to services provided to clients bythe production server.
 9. A method of replicating on a test server aproduction load of a production server, the method comprising: receivingfrom the production server a replicated production load corresponding toa production load on the production server created by processing clientrequests, wherein the replicated production load is generated in realtime while the client requests are processed by the production serverand defines state information representing unique states formed betweenthe production server and the clients from which the client requests arereceived; responsive to receiving the replicated production load, inreal time, via a processor, processing the replicated production load togenerate a plurality of replicated client requests, wherein each of thereplicated client requests replicates a respective client requestreceived by the production server and at least a portion of thereplicated client requests define the state information associated withthe respective client from which the client request is received; and inreal time, communicating the replicated client requests to the testserver.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein: the client requests arecommunicated from the clients to the production server via productionsocket connections established between the respective clients and theproduction server; and processing the replicated production load togenerate the plurality of replicated client requests comprises, for aplurality of the client requests, mapping corresponding productionsocket connections to respective test socket connections associated withthe corresponding replicated client requests.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the state information indicates cookies associated with therespective clients that vary based on prior usage of the productionserver.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the state informationindicates page services provided to the respective clients.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the state information indicates connectionhandles allocated for the respective clients.
 14. The method of claim 9,wherein the state information indicates bind information associated withthe respective client requests.
 15. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: filtering the replicated production load to prevent certainclient requests from being replicated to the test server. 16-24.(canceled)